Empowered To Influence

Recently, I attended a 2-evening workshop conducted by my friend Ken. He is one of the very few people that I respect. A man of God and a man that really seeketh after God's heart. His workshop encourages all of us that we are empowered by God to influence. 


There are 7 paradigms shifts that we all need in order to influence: 


1. Understanding worship To live Kingdom values is to live a life of worship. Worship is not singing, worship is not going to church on Sunday. Worship is not attending bible studies, attending fellowships. Worship is a lifestyle that God takes pleasure in and one that attract others to Christ. The first scene of worship was in Gen 22:5 where Abraham was prepared to obey God and sacrificed his son Isaac. Rom 14:17 says that "for the Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." So if worship is our lifestyle and if we cannot find pleasure in all that we do, we cannot worship. By doing our very best and enjoying what we do each day is worship. 


2. Labour is The Premier Worship Through labour, the exercise of worship, Salt and Light lives out their effectiveness. Labour is synonymous to worship. A minister is someone who looks after, cares for, tend to something or someone. A Christian at work is someone who minister to (i) God [attends to His assignment] (ii) others[through generation of goods and services] (iii) oneself [earning an income]. The labour of a Christian is premier worship as it encompasses the 3 pillars of the 2 greatest commandments. Vocation is the ministry platform as it is through this that the ministers (Christians at work) fulfill the ministry to the 3 pillars. But we must be Holy in our labour as in we should not focus on the fruit of the labour (the rewards, the income, the promotions) but focus on the Lord of the labour (Matt 6:33/2 Cor 4:18). We will persevere everyday at work but go home everyday contented. 


3. Worship that Add Values To Communities Christians as salt is only useful if they are dissolved into the communities. They completely embrace the rules of engagement in the sphere daily. They join hearts with people in their communities and work towards fulfilling communities' goals. They leave "churchy" forms behind. Joseph in the bible has the form of an Egyptian and not a Hebrew. In communities, Salt and Light worship in forms and expressions that add values to the communities. Such is worship through an excellent attitude that results in service to society. 


4. Expanding Church Worship in The Communities This is done by Christians living out more worshipping lives. Also, in the communities that we belong to, we lead those sheeps that follow us. 


5. Understanding Leadership Influence Pastors in congregation has an eqipping role. It has ordained and appointed authority. Shepherd in communities has a modelling role. It has moral authority (living his life in excellence Rom 14:17). Moral authority is earned through a life of discipline and an excellent spirit. A life of discipline and an excellent spirit is birth from a surrendered life and it is not dependent on how comfortable or pleasurable one is with a task or in the work. It may start with a struggle, but eventually results in pleasure through surrender. A surrendered life is one that recognises anything that he does in Christ is ordained as good works (Eph 2:10) A discipline and excellent spirit would be promoted by the Lord (Pro 22:29) so that one may lead (influence) and represent the interest of his communities. 


6. Works in The Church to Works of The Church We need to extend the ministry of Salt and Light to the communities. Works in the church (Bible studies, worship, fellowships) is to prepare, equip and empower believers to do the works of the church in the market place and the communities that believers live their lives. 


7. The Need to Plant Salt and Light In Communities Without Witnesses This is mission. Therefore, cross cultural mission strategy is critical to Salt and Light the world. In summary, a. To be effective Salt and Light, is to live a worshipping life. b. Effective Salt and Light naturally win others and influence them for Christ. c. Be a shepherd to teach others how to live worshipping life thus making them effective Salt and Light. d. Be involved in planting Salt and Light in communities without such witnesses. 


May the Lord touch your hearts as you read this.